e-ECHO Newsletter
August 26, 2010
Vol. 52, No. 13
New Horizons Christian Church exists to make more and better followers of Jesus Christ. We want to help you develop a growing, personal relationship with God through Jesus. And, we want to help you build good relationships with other people, especially those who are in your family and those in your church family.
New Horizons wants to be the church God wants us to be, following what the Bible teaches. We want to be real, relevant, and relational. In so doing, we will be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus in our world.
SARAH BRACHT TO REPORT ON MISSIONARY TRIP
This Sunday, August 29, we are looking forward to hearing Sarah Bracht, one of our teenage girls, tell us about her missionary trip to Jamaica this summer. She had some very interesting experiences and she saw some amazing sites. So, don’t miss her presentation during our worship celebration at 10:00 a.m. at Westbrooke Elementary School, 500 East Tomyn Boulevard, Ocoee, FL.
By the way, this Sunday is Family Sunday. So, we invite the children to sit with their parents during the program.
CHANGE IN e-ECHO FREQUENCY
The e-ECHO is now being sent to you once each month, instead of twice monthly. This will save time and money for the church, but it won’t diminish our communications to our church members, because we will continue to send our church news updates on the weeks the e-ECHO does not go out. The monthly e-ECHO will contain all the news and special features that you have come to enjoy in the bi-monthly editions. Your comments or questions are welcome. You can contact us at Info@NHCChome.org.
SUNDAY BIBLE CLASSES START IN SEPTEMBER
On Sunday morning, September 5, we will start some new Bible classes from 10:00 to 10:25 AM. In addition to the ones we presently offer (Nursery-Toddler Class and Elementary Class), we will add a combined Middle School/High School Class and an Adult Class. All the classes will teach the same Bible texts, except each class will use age-appropriate lesson materials. This way families can discuss the Bible lessons together, afterward.
Our worship celebration will begin at 10:35 AM on Sunday mornings. Therefore, it is important for everyone in a Bible class to move quickly to the auditorium so we can start our worship celebrations on time.
YOUTH CORNER
Rock The Universe
Our night to go to Rock the Universe is just right around the corner on September 10 from 5 PM to 1 AM. The tickets cost $44.95 each, if bought in advance through our church youth group.
The main speaker will be NFL football star Matt Stover. Matt is one of the greatest kickers in NFL history and sure to be a Hall of Famer. As of the end of the 2009 season, he was in the all-time top 10 NFL kickers in every kicking statistic, including fourth in total points.
The musicians who will be there on Friday, September 10 are: The Newsboys, Skillet, Jars of Clay, Hawk Nelson, Decyfer Down, Kutless, and Chuck Tocco.
Please contact Rachel Walter (407-535-3775, rwalter0827@hotmail.com) or Todd Leda (407-654-8810) to make your reservation. Permission slips are required for this church activity.
Ignite at Florida Christian College
Ignite, a free event for Middle/High School Youth, will be held on Friday, September 24, from 7:30-9 PM at Florida Christian College. New Horizons is planning to take a group. So mark your calendars and look for more details to follow.
CHRISTIAN BOOK EXCHANGE
Bring your favorite Christian books and exchange them for someone else’s after our Worship Celebration on Sunday, September 12. You can swap books or just pick up one you’ve been wanting to read.
PHIL’S FOCUS
REPORT ON BUILDING PROGRAM: Interesting things have happened recently that may mean God is preparing us for a breakthrough in our building program. I received an email from one of the lenders we contacted over a year ago and he told me that they had a change in personnel. So, they were re-visiting their previous loan applications. As it turns out, I am a personal friend to the person who replaced the previous man. I think the new man will do the best he can to help us.
Secondly, the same week that I received the email from the lender, I ran into a person from UCP. He told me that they were still interested in working with us in our building program, although there are many details to be decided before they would make any commitment.
I feel optimistic about our building program. Not only because several factors have changed favorably for us over the past year, but also I know that God has the resources to provide whatever we need. He loves us and wants us to succeed in the mission He has given us. He will answer our prayers in the best way possible when the time is right.
The Bible tells us, “And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13, NIV) So, we must continue serving the Lord and praying in faith for God to help our building program and ministry.
A NEW DAY @ NEW HORIZONS: We continue to try to touch people’s lives over the internet, especially through some of the social networks. I have been able to offer encouragement, spiritual advice, and Biblical instructions to some individuals on my FaceBook account with the church, which now has 231 friends. Also, several times a week, we post Scripture passages on the church’s FaceBook Fan Page, which has 131 friends. We are touching dozens and dozens of people through these Scripture postings.
Additionally, we continue to offer GodCasts on our church website. These are audio recordings of the Sunday message. People from across the country visit our website and listen to these messages. God’s Word is spreading.
Another bit of good news. JP Stanley volunteered to help us with our internet ministry. Presently, he is working on some changes to our church website that will make it simpler, more attractive, and functional. Also, he will start posting the Scriptures on our Fan Page in the near future. We really appreciate his fresh ideas and his willingness to help.
Remember, God loves you and so do I.
Phil
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR AMANDA
Amanda Vercamen is heading to New York City this week to begin college at Marymount Manhattan College. She will leave behind her friends and family while living far from home. So, as a part of her church family, you are invited to send her e-mails of support and encouragement. Her e-mail address is avercamen@mmm.edu.
OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY
Our love and prayers go to the family and loved ones of Ray Schmidt’s daughter, Kay Starr, who has gone to be with the Lord.
THANK YOU
Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for providing a meal for our family as we gathered for the funeral of Kay Barrett-Starr and to celebrate her life. Your visits, kind words, and generous expressions of food were a great demonstration of God’s love. Phil’s message and prayer were a blessing to us all. God Bless You, Ray Schmidt and family
UCP OF CENTRAL FLORIDA CARES FOR KIDS
Our friends at UCP of Central Florida offer programs for children of all ages (infant through high school and college transition) throughout the school year. In fact, many of these programs are available to children without disabilities. Some programs are free for children who are eligible. For more information, call them at 407-852-3300 or check it out at www.ucpcfl.org.
UCP IN NEED OF SUPPLIES
As school starts up again, the special-needs children at the Winter Garden campus of UCP of Central Florida need school supplies, such as, crayons, pencils, colored chalk, finger paint, construction paper, wide-ruled paper, copy paper, children’s books, hand sanitizers and batteries. If you would like to donate any of these items, you may drop them off at the UCP center at 630 South Dillard Street, Winter Garden. Or, you can bring them to our worship celebration at Westbrooke Elementary School and drop them off at the Welcome Table. Thank you for showing Christ’s love to our special friends.
MISSIONS UPDATES
Central Japan Christian Mission
We have received the August newsletter from CJCM. Click here or go to our website at www.NewHorizonsChristianChurch.org to read the latest information about the mission and the Turner family.
Judah Tangshing-Myanmar
Judah has sent an e-mail about orphans in the Putao orphanage. Four children are sick with malaria and the medicine they have does not help them feel better. To read more about this situation, click here. Please pray for Judah and the sick children.
Christian Campus Fellowship
Dave Smith, new Campus Minister with Christian Campus Fellowship, has sent us some updates about the work here on Central Florida college campuses. He is very excited about the opportunity to serve in this ministry and feels humbled to be used of God to serve this vital ministry. He previously ministered for seven years in Greenville, TX. To read about what’s been happening since he arrived, click here.
Florida Christian College
Paul Schondelmayer, Volunteer Services Coordinator at Florida Christian College, wrote us a letter requesting our assistance in finding men and women who are interested in becoming more active in Kingdom work at the college campus. This group of volunteers who provide free labor for the college are called Campus Keepers. If you would like to volunteer one day a week, one day a month, or for a one time only project, please contact Paul at 407-569-1324, or paul.schondelmayer@fcc.edu.
DAVE RAMSEY’S TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER
If you find that your personal money management is challenging, then you need to attend Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover at the UCF Arena on Saturday, November 6, from 1 to 6 p.m. Radio Host Dave Ramsey will be here with an exciting, high energy, event where you will get the tools and the knowledge to TAKE CONTROL of your money. This edu-taining event will leave you with real hope and a real plan that works.
A 40% discount from the regular ticket prices is available to church groups. The discounted price would be $25 per person for general admission or $51 per person for VIP passes. So, if you are interested in attending, please contact the church office and get your name on the list. Call 407-654-5050 or email Info@NHCChome.org.
WOMEN OF JOY CONFERENCE
The Women of Joy Conference is coming to Orlando on September 24-26, 2010. It will be held at the Orlando World Center Marriott Convention Center. The cost per person is $99, which includes a concert by Steven Curtis Chapman. For more information, go to www.womenofjoy.org. We are planning to have women from New Horizons (and any friends) to go as a group, so contact Donna Russell at djrussell22@yahoo.com if you are interested in attending.
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED
Academic and Cultural Exchange is a designated Program by the Department of State to bring high school exchange students to the U.S. for one school year. They are in need of families to host a student for one school year or for one semester. The students are covered with medical insurance and will have spending money to cover their school lunches, school supplies, clothing, etc. There are currently two students who would like to be placed in Florida. All interested families can visit their website, www.ace-programs.com, or call them at 1-888-446-5437 (toll-free number).
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
5 Dessie Ewing 10 Faith Dunn
5 Savannah LeBruno 11 LaVerne White
7 Judy Click 25 Joanne Clingman
9 Brenda Aldrich
SERVING SCHEDULE
Communion Meditation: 8/29 – Phil Walter; 9/5 – Todd Leda; 9/12 – David McCrickard; 9/19 – Phil Walter; 9/26 – Ryan LeBruno
Nursery: 8/29 – Susan Walter; 9/5 – Mary Beth Bracht; 9/12 – Mary Beth Bracht; 9/19 – Judy Click/Jennifer Dunn; 9/26 – Cheri White
JUST FOR FUN
“Is it my move? I have my eye on your king.”